As local governments race to reclaim land ahead of a looming restructuring of China Evergrande Group, a wrecking ball headed for 39 apartment blocks on a tropical island at China's southern tip poses the latest threat for the embattled developer.
The government of Danzhou, a city in the province of Hainan, has asked Evergrande to tear down what it says are illegal buildings within 10 days. The order was signed Dec. 30, meaning the company could start demolition work on the near-complete condos by Jan. 9.
The Hainan order is among the most extreme in a spate of government actions to seize Evergande’s property and land holdings, underscoring risks to its most-prized assets as the firm prepares for what could be the largest restructuring ever in China.